ARLINGTON, Va. (Sept. 13, 2013) -- Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) received Army Commendation Medal's during a ceremony at the Regiment's headquarters building at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. The Soldiers were honored for their recent actions helping a civilian who had been struck by a bus on Washington's National Mall.
1st Lt. Quenten L. Vereen of Longs, South Carolina, Sgt. 1st Class Daryl B. Williams Jr., of Baltimore, Maryland, Sgt. 1st Class John W. Russell of Columbia, Tennessee and Spc. Christopher J. Slane of Mount Sterling, Ohio, are part of the 289th Military Police Company and were jogging on the National Mall when they came across the injured pedestrian.
"We were jogging to the Capitol building," recalled Vereen, when they heard a collision.
"We sprinted over to him, Russell and Williams got to him first," said Vereen. "Russell got a shirt from a nearby runner to use as a tourniquet. Slane and I tried to control traffic and made sure he did not have any additional injuries."
While treating the injured man, the Soldiers learned his first name was Tim. According to local news reports Tim was running across 7th Street NW, when he was struck by the bus.
"Tim called us about two weeks ago, he's doing okay," said Vereen. "Once he's feeling better he would like to meet up and thank us personally."
"The military has battle drills," said Vereen. "Every Soldier has some sort of first aid training and we rely on that."
Congressman Chris Stewart read about the Soldiers actions in the news and wanted to personally thank them for their actions and service.
"These guys are heroes," said Stewart, who represents Utah's 2nd district. "The military is a huge part of my heritage. I really enjoyed meeting them."
Congressman Stewart served fourteen years in the United States Air Force, where he was a pilot flying both helicopters and the B-1B bomber. Stewart also holds three world speed records including the world record for the fastest non-stop flight around the world.
"What these soldiers did is impressive," said Stewart. "I believe that the best young men and women in this country are wearing the military uniform."
"The emergency action they took is a credit to the training the Army invests in its Soldiers," said Col. James C. Markert, 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), regimental commander. "Spc. Slane's response is an example of his training and leadership, as he had no prior emergency training before he joined the Army."
"I didn't think anything would come of it, I'm just pleased that we were able to help and that Tim is doing well," said Vereen.
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